Fastrack · NASA Seeks New Astronauts to Expand Artemis Moon Program

NASA is accepting applications for its 25th astronaut class to support the Artemis lunar program. The deadline is Dec. 3.

32 active astronauts currently serve in NASA's corps.
8,000-plus people applied in the last round; 10 were chosen in September 2025.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens with degrees and professional experience.
2 years of mandatory training precede any flight assignment.

Why it matters: NASA wants more people as it pushes beyond low-Earth orbit toward a lasting lunar presence. "We have far more work than we have astronauts," said Artemis III commander Randy Bresnik.

Artemis II's April lunar flyaround opened the current campaign.
NASA aims to land astronauts on the moon in 2028.

How 17 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 17 sources

17 sources · 22 articles · 47% Center coverage

Center coverage, 8 sources: The center runs the same wire report, emphasizing the invitation to apply and the lunar timeline.

WPXI Pittsburgh2dWant to fly to the moon? NASA is looking for new astronauts to help grow its Artemis program Associated Press2dWant to fly to the moon? NASA is looking for new astronauts to help grow its Artemis program KXAN Austin2dWant to fly to the moon? NASA is looking for new astronauts to help grow its Artemis program NPR1dNASA is looking for astronauts to live and work on the Moon USA Today10hNASA just opened applications for astronauts. Here's how you can qualify WKBN Youngstown2dWant to fly to the moon? NASA is looking for new astronauts to help grow its Artemis program WPLG Local 102dWant to fly to the moon? NASA is looking for new astronauts to help grow its Artemis program WRBL Columbus2dWant to fly to the moon? NASA is looking for new astronauts to help grow its Artemis program

Left coverage, 6 sources: The left presents the call as a recruitment push driven by Artemis staffing needs, using the wire story unchanged.

The Independent10hCould you live on the moon? Nasa is recruiting lunar base astronauts Business Insider8hNASA opens astronaut applications for first time in 2 years Gizmodo1dNASA Is Looking for Astronauts to Live and Work on the Moon Houston Chronicle2dNASA is hiring astronauts. Do you have what it takes?The Guardian1dNasa seeks next generation of astronauts to live and work on the moon The Washington Post1dNASA opens recruitment for its next generation of astronauts

Right3 sources

Daily Mail15hDo you have what it takes? NASA is hiring new astronauts to live and work on the MOON - with a $165,000 salary New York Post8hNASA is hiring! Aspiring astronauts offered a surprising $164,000 salary to work on the Moon: ‘Write the next chapter of human spaceflight’The Washington Times2dWant to fly to the moon? NASA is looking for new astronauts to help grow its Artemis program

What’s next: Artemis III's crew of four launches next summer to rehearse docking in Earth orbit. They will test landers built by SpaceX and Blue Origin.

Artemis IV would then try to land two astronauts near the lunar south pole.
New candidates likely wait years after training to fly.
How many candidates NASA plans to select for this class.
Whether the 2028 landing target holds on schedule.